LCC (9-29, 5-22 Region XIV) held on for a 7-5 victory in Saturday’s opener against fourth-place Wharton (19-26, 11-26) before falling 10-5 in Game 2 during a doubleheader.

LCC (9-29, 5-22 Region XIV) held on for a 7-5 victory in Saturday’s opener against fourth-place Wharton (19-26, 11-26) before falling 10-5 in Game 2 during a doubleheader.

Photo: Cuate Santos /Laredo Morning Times

Image 2 of 5

LCC’s Arredondo.

LCC’s Arredondo.

Photo: Cuate Santos /Laredo Morning Times

Image 3 of 5

LCC’s Justin Mora.

LCC’s Justin Mora.

Photo: Cuate Santos /Laredo Morning Times

Image 4 of 5

LCC’s Sterling Jones celebrates his home run in Game 1 with teammates.

LCC’s Sterling Jones celebrates his home run in Game 1 with teammates.

Photo: Cuate Santos /Laredo Morning Times

Image 5 of 5

LCC splits with Wharton Saturday to end series

1 / 5

Back to Gallery

LCC had a chance to split a second consecutive four-game series.

The Palominos needed to take both games of Saturday’s doubleheader against Wharton County Junior College on Saturday to do so. They hung on to get the job done in Game 1, but after taking control in the latter contest, pitching woes bit them as the chances of a second straight victory slipped away at the hands of a season-long issue.

Last-place LCC (9-29, 5-22 Region XIV) held on for a 7-5 victory in Saturday’s opener against fourth-place Wharton (19-26, 11-26) before falling 10-5 in Game 2 during a doubleheader at LCC South.

After taking a 6-0 lead through four innings, the Palominos survived a late rally from the Pioneers with a two-run win in Game 1. LCC snapped their three-game losing streak to kick off Saturday.

Freshman Sterling Jones (1-3) notched his third home run of the season in the first inning and Justin Mora (7 IP, 10 H, 5 R, 6 K, 3 BB) toed the rubber for the complete-game victory. Robert Arredondo, Mando Lopez and Ricky Villarreal all recorded two hits.

Jones’ two-run homer capped LCC’s 4-0 lead through one inning. Arturo Guajardo sacrificed to center to score Robert Arredondo in the third. And in the sixth, Arredondo’s RBI triple drove in Jorge Lopez for the 6-0 advantage.

Wharton scored four runs in the sixth — all before the Palominos could record a second out — to cut its deficit to 6-4. The Pioneers notched two RBI singles for two runs, and LCC’s Justin Mora walked Brock Brandl with the bases loaded to bring in a third. LCC’s Jorge Lopez later errored on a grounder to give the visitors four runs.

Four different players had four hits for the Pioneers in the Game 1 loss Saturday.

In Game 2, the Palominos had a two-run lead through eight innings before giving up eight runs in the ninth en route to a 10-5 loss. LCC and Wharton were tied up at 4 before it spun out of control for the Palominos.

Freshman Ramiro Maldonado lasted eight innings, but head coach Mike Davila was forced to use three relievers in the ninth. Jake Mijares, Adrian Rubalcaba and Issac Rendon gave up a combined seven runs (five earned) and walked four batters. Wharton scored four runs off walks and errors in the final period.

The Palominos outhit the Pioneers 12-9 in the series-ending loss.

Guajardo went 3-for-4 with an RBI to pace LCC in Game 2. Maldonado fanned 10, walked six and allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits.

Wharton’s Ryan Jennings pitched the complete game with nine punchouts and five runs (three earned) on 12 hits.

The Palominos next face Galveston on Friday for a 3 p.m. doubleheader at home, and Wharton will play Louisiana State University-Eunice at 3 p.m. Monday.